Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM3’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM3’, characterized by its upright to slightly outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; dark greyed purple-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with light purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Botanical designation: Lagerstroemia indica ‘JM3’.

Cultivar denomination: ‘JM3’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Crapemyrtle Plant Named ‘JM1’

Applicant: Jack Mitchell Magee

U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,178

Title: Crapemyrtle Plant Named ‘JM4’

Applicant: Jack Mitchell Magee

U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,179

Title: Crapemyrtle Plant Named ‘JM5’

Applicant: Jack Mitchell Magee

U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,175

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCrapemyrtle plant, botanically known as Lagerstroemia indica ‘JM3’ andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘JM3’.

The new Crapemyrtle plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Poplarville, Miss. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop new vigorous and freely-branchingCrapemyrtle plants with dark-colored leaves and attractive flowercolors.

The new Crapemyrtle plant originated from a cross-pollination conductedby the Inventor during the summer of 2015 of Lagerstroemia x indica‘Ebony Flame’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent withLagerstroemia indica ‘Natchez White’, not patented, as the male, orpollen, parent. The new Crapemyrtle plant was discovered and selected bythe Inventor in May, 2016 as a single flowering plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled nurseryenvironment in Poplarville, Miss.

Asexual reproduction of the new Crapemyrtle plant by vegetative softwoodcuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Poplarville, Miss.since August, 2016 has shown that the unique features of the newCrapemyrtle plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘JM3’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘JM3’ as a new and distinct Crapemyrtle plant:

-   -   1. Upright to slightly outwardly spreading plant habit.    -   2. Freely branching habit.    -   3. Vigorous and sturdy growth habit.    -   4. Dark greyed purple-colored leaves.    -   5. Numerous inflorescences with light purple-colored flowers.    -   6. Good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Ebony Flame’. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Ebony Flame’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are larger and more vigorous        than plants of ‘Ebony Flame’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have light purple-colored        flowers whereas plants of ‘Ebony Flame’ have red-colored        flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of the maleparent, ‘Natchez White’. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Natchez White’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more freely branching than        plants of ‘Natchez White’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark greyed purple-colored        leaves whereas plants of ‘Natchez White’ have light        green-colored leaves.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have light purple-colored        flowers whereas plants of ‘Natchez White’ have white-colored        flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of Lagerstroemiaindica ‘JM1’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.16/350,178. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily from plantsof ‘JM1’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark greyed purple-colored        leaves whereas plants of ‘JM1’ have dark green-colored leaves.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have light purple-colored        flowers whereas plants of ‘JM1’ have dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of Lagerstroemiaindica ‘JM4’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.16/350,179. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily from plantsof ‘JM4’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are taller and more vigorous        than plants of ‘JM4’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have light purple-colored        flowers whereas plants of ‘JM4’ have white-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of Lagerstroemiaindica ‘JM5’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.16/350,175. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily from plantsof ‘JM5’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are not as vigorous as plants        of ‘JM5’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have light purple-colored        flowers whereas plants of ‘JM5’ have light red purple-colored        flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of theLagerstroemia indica ‘Catawba’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily from plantsof ‘Catawba’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark greyed purple-colored        leaves whereas plants of ‘Catawba’ have green-colored leaves.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have light purple-colored        flowers whereas plants of ‘Catawba’ have dark purple-colored        flowers.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more resistant to pathogens        than plants of ‘Catawba’.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of theLagerstroemia indica ‘Muskogee’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily from plantsof ‘Muskogee’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark greyed purple-colored        leaves whereas plants of ‘Muskogee’ have dark green-colored        leaves.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have smaller inflorescences        than plants of ‘Muskogee’.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have light purple-colored        flowers whereas plants of ‘Muskogee’ have purple-colored        flowers.    -   4. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more resistant to pathogens        than plants of ‘Muskogee’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Crapemyrtle plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Crapemyrtle plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) is a side perspectiveview of a typical plant of ‘JM3’ grown in a container in an outdoornursery.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a close-up view of atypical flowering plant of ‘JM3’ grown in a container in an outdoornursery.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown in 7-gallon containers in Park Hill,Okla. and Fort Worth, Tex. during the summer in outdoor nurseries andunder cultural conditions which closely approximate commercialCrapemyrtle production. During the production of the plants, daytemperatures averaged 33° C. and night temperatures averaged 14° C.Plants were three years when the photographs and the description weretaken. In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Lagerstroemia indica ‘JM3’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Lagerstroemia indica ‘Ebony Flame’,            not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Lagerstroemia indica ‘Natchez            White’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By vegetative softwood and hardwood cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at            temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 25 days at            temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About one            month at temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About one            month for softwood cuttings and about two months for            hardwood cuttings at temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            brownish white in color, actual color is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Perennial shrub; upright to            slightly outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous and            sturdy growth habit.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with about four to            six basal lateral branches each with numerous secondary and            tertiary lateral branches developing per plant.        -   Plant height.—About 138 cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 57 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Length.—About 135 cm.        -   Diameter, at the base.—About 2 cm.        -   Internode length.—About 2 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Erect to about 25° from vertical.        -   Texture and luster.—Smooth, glabrous; woody with age; matte.        -   Color, immature.—Close to 187A.        -   Color, mature.—Close to 177A and with subsequent            development, close to 199A.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; simple.        -   Length.—About 5.4 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.2 cm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire, undulate.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to N187A            tinged with close to 187A. Developing leaves, lower surface:            Close to 147A tinged with close to 187A. Fully expanded            leaves, upper surface: Close to N187A tinged with close to            187A; with subsequent development, becoming closer to 200A;            venation, close to 187A. Fully expanded leaves, lower            surface: Close to 147A tinged with close to 187A; venation,            close to 187A to 187B.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to            146A to 146B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type, arrangement and habit.—Showy single ruffled            flowers arranged in terminal panicles; freely flowering            habit with usually about 16 flowers per inflorescence and            numerous inflorescences developing during the flowering            season; flowers face upright and outwardly; flowers not            persistent.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants of the new Crapemyrtle            flower during the summer and into the autumn in Fort Worth,            Tex.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Inflorescence height.—About 5.2 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 4.5 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 2 cm.        -   Flower depth.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm.            Shape: Roughly spherical. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; glossy. Color: Close to 146A; towards the apex,            close to 187A.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Six arranged in            a single whorl. Length: About 1 cm. Width: About 8 mm.            Shape: Roughly orbicular. Apex: Rounded, undulate; ruffled.            Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire, undulate; ruffled. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            soft; delicate; matte. Color: When opening, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to 75A. Fully opened, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to 75A; color does not change with            development. Stalk: Close to 67C to 67D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Six arranged in            a single whorl. Length: About 9 mm. Width: About 4 mm.            Shape: Narrowly deltoid. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin:            Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: When opening and fully            opened, upper surface: Close to 146A to 146B. When opening            and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 146A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 6 mm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm.            Strength: Strong, flexible. Aspect: About 45° from stem            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 187A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Quantity per flower: About            twelve. Filament length: About 8 mm. Filament color: Close            to 58D. Anther length: About 1.25 mm. Anther shape: Oblong.            Anther color: Close to 9A. Amount of pollen: None.            Gynoecium: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About            1 cm. Style length: About 7.5 mm. Style color: Close to 60C.            Stigma appearance: Spherical. Stigma color: Close to 148A.            Ovary: Close to 11B.        -   Fruits and seeds.—Fruit and seed development has not been            observed on plants of the new Crapemyrtle.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have been observed    to have good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind and    temperatures ranging from about −10° C. to about 38° C. and to be    cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 6.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have been    observed to be resistant to leaf spot (Cercospora lythracearum) and    powdery mildew (Erysiphe lagerstroemia). Plants of the new    Crapemyrtle have not been observed to be resistant to pests and    other pathogens common to Crapemyrtle plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM3’ asillustrated and described.